Money worries are the main concern of stressed-out Britons, according to the result of a poll published today which reveals that as many as 40 million adults admit to suffering from some form of regular anxiety.

Financial angst is the single biggest cause of stress for 40% of us, followed by problems with friends and family members (25%), health concerns (24%) and stress at work (22%). The recession has caused further headaches with concerns about redundancy or unemployment fifth on the list, cited by 21% of adults surveyed.

The research was carried out by market researchers Mintel. Its senior health analyst, Alexandra Richmond, said: "Even though the recession may be over, people have become more aware of the fragility of their jobs, or indeed the price of their home, which is why employment and finance top our list of worries."

Britain's women are revealed as the nation's biggest worriers, with increased numbers of men (55%) more likely than women (45%) to say they are not troubled by anything. More than one in 10 (11%) women claims to have five or more worries compared to just one in 14 men.

When it comes to dealing with stress, the British stiff upper lip prevails. As many as 16 million of us talk to family and friends as a way of coping with stress, but only 6% of respondents felt able to turn to a professional for help, such as regular counselling.

And given their serious financial concerns, people are having to find cheaper ways of managing their stress than going on holiday. For "affordable escapism", an estimated 20 million adults listen to music or read a book to unwind. And controversial complementary medicines – used by 2 million adults – are popular as an over-the-counter alternative to antidepressants.

Meanwhile, more than one in five of us (21%) admit to turning to drink when stressed, while more than one in 10 (13%) light up a cigarette. But men and women have different ways of coping, the research shows. Almost a quarter (24%) of men admit they turn to drink to drown their sorrows, compared with less than one in five (17%) women. By contrast, almost 20% of women turn to comfort foods, snacks and treats in times of trouble compared to just 9% of men.

Richmond said: "The fact that over half of us turns to our family and friends in times of trouble, compared to just 6% who go to a professional, highlights the extent of the stigma attached to seeking professional help to deal with stress.

"For many, seeking professional help may be regarded as a sign of defeat or inability to cope on their own. It is here that the British 'stiff upper lip' syndrome really affects people's ability to get help when things overwhelm them."

Last week, the strong link between economic downturn and depression was demonstrated when it was revealed the number of suicides in the UK has risen sharply since the recession began, reversing the downward trend of the past decade.

The figures from the Office for National Statistics showed a 6% increase from 5,377 deaths in 2007 to 5,706 in 2008 among those aged over 15.